Mid-level AFL clubs like Fremantle are against the league's equalization plan.

The Australian Football League's "historic bid" to create an even football competition is "facing a mutinous response from at least five middle-level clubs," according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. The clubs are "disenchanted in the belief they will be harshly taxed" by incoming CEO Gillon McLachlan’s "complex equalisation formula." Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong and Richmond "have been stunned at learning" they will be taxed between A$200,000 ($185,000) and A$400,000 annually over the next two years compared with the capped A$500,000 to be carried by Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast. McLachlan "will roll out his new competitive balance formula" to the 18 clubs on Wednesday in what "looms as a lengthy session at head office," which will also mark outgoing CEO Andrew Demetriou’s final day. Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich: ''The devil will be in the detail. Hopefully, the detail won't be the devil." Several disillusioned chief execs have pointed out to the AFL that "middle-ranked clubs will be the hardest hit," with some being taxed close to 50% of their profits compared with closer to 10% by Collingwood (THE AGE, 6/3). In Sydney, Greg Denham reported additional annual funding to be spread among the AFL’s poorest clubs "is not expected to be much more" than A$3M, a figure "way below what struggling clubs had hoped for." Some clubs "believed their individual benefit" from the new scheme would be about A$1M. Up to seven clubs will share the A$3M, a figure "drastically reduced due to pressure from the AFL’s ­financial powerhouse clubs" Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast. One "stunned" club official said, “When you consider that total AFL and club revenue will be about A$1.4 billion next year, this is chicken feed, it’s an ­insult” (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/4). In Melbourne, Jake Niall reported under the new arrangements, the salary cap "will be increased" by about 4.5% in '15 and '16 -- higher than the 3% rises "that were guaranteed." While "there has been a strong push for salary cap equality" -- with Sydney's "contentious" cost of living allowance "to be phased out and replaced by a rental allowance" -- the AFL "will retain the veterans' allowance for the next two years." This rule allows players with 10 years' service at a club to be paid an extra A$118,000 a year "outside of the salary cap" in '14 (THE AGE, 6/3).

Enemies of "controversial" Board of Control for Cricket in India President N. Srinivasan "have pleaded" with Australian PM Tony Abbott "to step in and stop the businessman being elevated to a new role as head of world cricket," according to Peter Lalor of THE AUSTRALIAN. Srinivasan has been suspended from his post by India’s Supreme Court. The Int'l Cricket Council, however, "seems determined to go through with a radical restructure at its conference in Melbourne this month." At the meeting, Srinivasan "will be named" the first ICC chairman "under an arrangement that hands that job to a BCCI representative for two years." It would take a change of heart from seven of the 10 full-time members "to block his move at the Melbourne meeting or the BCCI could recommend another person for the top ICC job." Neither "is likely to occur." Srinivasan, however, "is being hounded at home" by Cricket Association of Bihar Secretary Aditya Verma. Verma: "When the whole world, including the highest court of India, found that something was seriously wrong with Mr Srinivasan, why (did) your countries’ top cricket board officials accept the creation of a special post for him as chairman of the ICC and elected him unopposed?” (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/4). The PTI reported former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said that the ongoing investigations into corruption in cricket "are critical and fans deserve fair competition." Tendulkar: "I think the concerned people are taking really important steps because it is critical for the game to make sure that the spectators watch a fair competition" (PTI, 6/3).

Sports charity StreetGames will create 200 Pop Up Clubs during the summer that will enable disadvantaged young people to get involved in sport.

The nationwide programme will be operated in partnership - and funded by - Spirit of 2012 (Spirit), a charity set up to support programmes that sustain the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Sessions have been designed to give young people the chance to take part in sports that will feature heavily at this summer's Commonwealth Games - such as athletics, table tennis and badminton.

The sports will be brought to peoples' doorsteps by organising the sessions at community halls, leisure centres and parks - meaning that sport can be accessed by all.
- See more at: http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=309622#sthash.2fCJvSQ6.dpuf

Sports charity StreetGames will create 200 Pop Up Clubs during the summer that will enable disadvantaged young people to get involved in sport.

The nationwide programme will be operated in partnership - and funded by - Spirit of 2012 (Spirit), a charity set up to support programmes that sustain the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Sessions have been designed to give young people the chance to take part in sports that will feature heavily at this summer's Commonwealth Games - such as athletics, table tennis and badminton.

The sports will be brought to peoples' doorsteps by organising the sessions at community halls, leisure centres and parks - meaning that sport can be accessed by all.
- See more at: http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/detail.cfm?pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=309622#sthash.2fCJvSQ6.dpuf

Sports charity StreetGames "will create 200 Pop Up Clubs during the summer that will enable disadvantaged young people to get involved in sport," according to Tom Walker of LEISURE MEDIA. The U.K. program will be operated in partnership with -- and funded by -- Spirit of 2012, a charity set up to support programs "that sustain the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics." Sessions "have been designed to give young people the chance to take part in sports that will feature heavily at this summer's Commonwealth Games." The sports will be brought to peoples' doorsteps by organizing the sessions at community halls, leisure centers and parks -- "meaning that sport can be accessed by all" (LEISURE MEDIA, 6/3).
Print | Tags: Leagues and Governing Bodies, United Kingdom